Chapter 77: Willpower

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Translator: Soafp

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I don’t know why, but Maya’s condition seemed to have improved since the day I visited her in the hospital. It appears her progress is nearing remission, and she’s about to be discharged.

“Thank you so much, Kazunari-kun.”

Because of that, Maya’s father has come all the way to my house to express his gratitude.

To be frank, it’s extremely annoying, but there are too many complications to brush him off, so I’m just listening to what he has to say.

“…Is there any need for you to thank me?”

“Maya was enveloped in despair, feeling she had nothing left to offer Kazunari-kun, even losing the will to live. You helped dispel that.”

But it’s bewildering, you know. I let slip a sarcastic remark. The atmosphere became unexpectedly heavy. It’s quite bothersome.

Ultimately, I’m puzzled how Maya’s spirits recovered just because I casually said I’d visit her grave once she’s paid off the compensation.

“…If she doesn’t finish paying the alimony, it’ll be troublesome for me too.”

“Of course. But for Maya, once that’s settled, her connection with Kazunari-kun will be completely severed. It’s not strange for her to have feared that.”

“…In the end, Maya herself understands best who she loves the most.”

He says this while drinking in front of me. I suggested the alcohol to avoid an unbearable atmosphere, but now he’s talkative. It’s difficult to deal with.

“Isn’t it a bit too convenient for you now?”

“…I’m sorry. That’s true. Ultimately, Maya made a foolish choice where she believed no one could love her. However, she lost sight of her reason for living the moment she gave up on desperately rebuilding.”

“…”

“…Still, even after finishing paying the alimony, Maya never completely cut off her ties with Kazunari-kun. She was grateful just to feel that way.”

It’s an annoying line he’s spouting.

But I thought now wasn’t the time to say anything, so I remained silent.

They say illness starts from the mind.

Why does Maya want me to visit her grave so much?

I sarcastically smile as I push the alcohol on my former father-in-law, thinking about it.

It’s a strange story that Maya’s motivation returned because she thought about death.

Sure, Maya’s current situation meant she had to face the reality of death, but still.

Even watching someone die right in front of me – no, it’s not someone else. It’s shocking to think I was implanted with trauma of the sort. Especially when the man who had called out another woman’s name just before his death didn’t return the affection I gave him.

In the end, Maya realized she wasn’t loved by anyone except for her parents. Humans, it seems, find more happiness in being loved by someone rather than loving someone else.

Well, it seems she realized she had to risk her life to atone for her sins. However, I also realized that even though Naoki, who had done whatever he pleased, died, he had only intended to die in words.

So, I chose to leave.

That’s the only thing I can think of.

Even if I die, would Maya feel forgiven just because I visit her grave?

I don’t know.

In times like these, I think I should just get drunk.